How to Get Rid of Hyperpigmentation

HOW TO GET RID OF HYPERPIGMENTATION

The ugliest fact about hyperpigmentation is that it is directly and indirectly responsible for many other skin conditions. Therefore, knowing how to get rid of hyperpigmentation is going to help you kill several birds with a stone. When you do succeed at taking care of your hyperpigmentation, you would have won battles you never even fought.

Hyperpigmentation makes you feel like flawless skin is a privilege bestowed by the gods on the chosen few. However, anyone can have flawless skin if they really desire it enough to take steps to have it. Your skin can be youthful, smooth and flawless if you want and there are so many ways to get that done.

Before you write yourself off that social list or with that much-preferred clothes because it will reveal too much of your skin tone, why not consider making hyperpigmentation history. Before you make choices that will leave you hungering for the life you actually want, why not wage war against that enemy that embarrasses, limits and toys with how you feel about yourself?

Hyperpigmentation is not anyone?s friend, but the good thing is that it doesn?t have to be. You can clear your skin of hyperpigmentation, get the look and feel you desire, wear the clothes you want and mingle with the people you like.

This article will discuss several treatment options that will set you on the path of getting a hyperpigmentation-free skin. It is not just enough that you read it; you have to go a step further by trying some of the options out. Note also that not all the options are likely to work for you. So, don?t lose faith if one doesn?t seem to work. In fact, it will be better if you test run some of these treatments to see their compatibility with your skin before using them.

You deserve the best skin possible and what more, you can have it. Let?s begin?

What is Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation is a condition that makes the skin to appear either darker or lighter than it normally is but in most cases, darker. It manifests in the form of colored patches. Hyperpigmentation occurs when the skin produces higher amount of melanin. Melanin is the pigment that produces the color of the skin. Hyperpigmentation can occur on the face or on other parts of the body. People of all skin types are vulnerable to hyperpigmentation but it has been found to be most common among people of olive skin to darker skin shades. Hyperpigmentation is basically harmless and usually looks like tan spots or brown spots.

There are also several reasons that may be responsible for the cause of hyperpigmentation. They include;

Too much exposure to sunlight

Freckles or age spots

Side effects of some medication

Injury or inflammation

Hormonal changes

Sign of a disease

Genetic engineering

Emotional stress

There are three types of hyperpigmentation. They are melasma, lentigines and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).

Melasma: melasma is a product of hormonal fluctuations. It is predominant among pregnant women and those close to menopause. It can also occur as a result of thyroid dysfunction. Those who take oral contraceptives and hormonal medications can also experience melasma. Due to its inherent cause, it is difficult to treat.

Lentigines: lentigines are more a consequence of aging. They are a common occurrence among people that are over the age of 60 either male or female. Lentigines are also known as age or liver spots. They can also be caused by UV rays. Therefore, younger people that expose themselves to sunlight too much can experience lentigines.

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation: this is more a result of skin injuries such as burns and acne. It can also be a side effect of some treatments and medications. In many cases, when you discontinue treatment, it heals or when you take good care of the skin injury.

How to Prevent Hyperpigmentation

In all cases, prevention will always be cheaper than cure. It is therefore important to give serious thought to avoiding getting hyperpigmentation in the first place.

Limit Exposure to Sun: sunlight may tan your skin and give it the tone of your dreams but when it is too much, it equally makes you age quicker and one of the ways by which it does that is hyperpigmentation. By limiting your exposure to the sun, you will not only prevent future irritation from occurring, you will give the current one a chance to heal. You can limit exposure to sun by wearing sunscreen that has an SPF value of not less than 15. Avoid tanning beds at all costs. If you can do it, don?t go out in the sun at all or at least don?t go within 10am to 4pm.

Use Compatible Skin Treatment: a skin treatment that will give you what you want as well as what you don?t want is not good enough. Be careful of whatever skin treatment you resort to. Plastic surgery and some other professional skin treatments can lead to hyperpigmentation. If you can avoid them, it will pay your skin off eventually. If you have to do any skin treatment, make sure you do a thorough research on what will suit your skin best and engage the service of a highly trained professional.

Alternative Treatments: there are some medications that have hyperpigmentation as a side effect, while you shouldn’t stop taking such treatments because of their importance, there may be safer alternatives that will achieve the same results minus the side effects. Do your findings well as such alternative may directly end your battle with hyperpigmentation.

Natural Hyperpigmentation Treatment

There are several home remedies for hyperpigmentation which will clear it. However, these treatment options are not instant. You need patience to see them work for you. But they surely work if you choose one that is compatible with your skin type and you exercise patience.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice has bleaching properties due to its citric acid and other contents. It is a common home remedy for reducing dark patches. It serves as a natural bleaching agent that serves all benefits without side effects. You can use lemon juice alone or mix it with water or honey to complement its acidity while increasing its potency. Adding honey also makes it serve as a moisturizing agent that will rejuvenate the skin. Note that when you use lemon juice on your skin, you should avoid sunlight as lemon juice is extra sensitive to UV rays and direct sunlight will only wear its effect off. Also, avoid completely if you have a sensitive skin as it can end up causing further irritation instead of serving as a cure for your pigmented skin.

Method of application

Extract the juice from fresh lemon and mix with water or honey

Apply on the hyperpigmented part with a cotton ball and leave for 15 minutes or longer

Wash with water and repeat the process two times every day over a couple of weeks

Sandalwood

Sandalwood is a common ingredient in many skin care products because it enhances complexion and evens skin tone. It purifies the blood and acts both as a cooling agent and a stimulant. Regular application of sandalwood on your hyperpigmentation will reduce it completely in a matter of weeks.

Method of application

Mix sandalwood powder with honey or rose water to form a paste

Apply the paste on the hyperpigmentation and leave for an hour or more

Wash off with clean water and repeat the process at least twice daily

Continue treatment for about 6 weeks and you will notice the discoloration even out

Raw Potato

Potatoes are natural bleaching agent and have high level of catecholase. It erases hyperpigmentation by lightening the affected area and evening the skin tone. Raw potatoes remove dark spots, hyperpigmentation and patches on skin. You can use it ordinarily or mix with some other ingredient for quicker results depending on your skin types.

Method of application

Peel potatoes and cut into thick slices or grate it and squeeze the juice

Mix with water, honey or lemon juice depending on your preference

Rub on the affected skin area and leave for 10-15 minutes

Repeat the action 2 to 3 times daily for one month

Apple Cider Vinegar

This is the most popular home remedy when it comes to skin care. It is an antioxidant, an astringent and a strong bleaching agent that will clear off your hyperpigmentation in no time at all. It also has an added benefit of evening the tone of your skin and rejuvenating it. Because ACV is a powerful agent, it is advisable you mix it with another subtle agent even if you think your skin can withstand it or level of anxiety.

Method of application

Mix ACV with water or honey or even both at an equal measure

Wash the affected area with the mixed solution but make sure it is clean before doing so

Leave on for 5 minutes before washing with water only.

Do it as many times as you can in a day till you begin to see improvement

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a popular skin care product for one reason only- it always works! It contains mucilaginous polysaccharides which remove dead skin cells and boost the reproduction of new skin cells. Aloe vera gel is also antibacterial and a natural bleaching agent. It is highly potent for removing hyperpigmentation.

Turmeric is a natural ingredient with bleaching properties. It prevents the skin from getting infected and makes life difficult for hyperpigmentation. Turmeric clears the hyperpigmentation while rejuvenating the skin cells such that the skin?s luster is regained.

Method of application

Mix turmeric with lemon, water, milk ,honey or any other choice ingredient

Rub on the affected skin part and leave on for about 20 minutes

Apply daily till you get impressive result

Vitamin E

Vitamin E will give you the skin of your dreams. Its antioxidant property makes it highly effective for protecting skin cells from looming danger and protecting against the direct effects of sun rays. Vitamin E also repairs the skin tissues and rejuvenates the skin in general little wonder it is referred to as the ?skin vitamin.”

Method of application

Buy vitamin E capsule from a local store and empty the contents into a bowl

Blend with olive or castor oil and rub on affected body part at night

Leave it on until the next day before washing off

Repeat application on a daily basis.

Other Treatment Options

Prescription Creams

These are majorly creams that contain hydroquinone and retinol. They help the skin against pigmentation. If you come across a prescription cream that promises instant result, the percentage of hydroquinone in it is most likely too high. This will adversely affect your skin, except it is a cream recommended by your health care provider.

Laser treatment

Laser treatment is fast and expensive. There are different types but your physician will recommend the safest and best option for you. It is the use of laser technology to lighten skin.

Chemical peels

It is the use of chemicals like glycolic acid to remove hyperpigmentation. The chemical peels off the outer layers of the skin and you should use sunblock after this treatment. It can be painless if the procedure is mild but is most useful for minor hyperpigmentation.

Micro Dermabrasion

This is when crystals that are tiny are zapped on the hyperpigmentation to remove the dead (and often darkened) top layer. It is normally a painless procedure but is best combined with other treatment options like chemical peels.